As the Panthers move towards training camp, the roster is beginning to take shape, both in terms of the starters and the surrounding depth, and while there is still a lot that can and likely will change between now and the end of training camp, it’s time to take a look at each part of the Panthers’ roster, position by position. While there is always the possibility of a dark horse surprise, there is also a lot than can be said with some degree of certainty. With that in mind, over the next couple of weeks we will explore both where each position group stands and where it might go. Check out our previous iterations below:
- Cornerback Clash!
- Wide Receiver Rumble!
- Running Back Ro Sham Beaux!
- Linebacker Battle!
- Quarterback Quandary!
- Tight End Tiff!
- Safety Smackdown!
- Tackle Tangle!
The loss of Andrew Norwell in free agency and the ensuing battle for the starting left guard spot is expected to be one of the most closely-watched battles during training camp. While the starting center and right guard spots are not up for grabs, the depth of competition for the starting left guard spot and the positional flexibility of many of the participants will likely create a fierce competition for the depth spot on the interior of the offensive line. So where does the interior offensive line stand going into training camp?
The Definite Starters
Ryan Kalil missed most of last season to injury and has already announced that this season will be his last – the five-time Pro Bowler enters training camp as the unquestioned starter at center and, when healthy, is still one of the best in the NFL at that position. As with the likes of Luke Keuchly, there should be very few questions at this point about his level of play and the only thing to watch for will be his continued health. To his right, Trai Turner returns for a fifth season as the starting right guard, and had another good season in 2017. However, having been used to help Daryl Williams at times last season, it will be interesting to see whether they let Williams fight his own battles in pass protection and allow Turner to focus on the interior rushers. In the run game, he has always impressed with his raw power, but with a new offensive scheme that looks to use more of a zone running scheme, it will also be important for him to work on his body control, as he does at times appear to play somewhat off-balance. Turner has all the traits to continue the form that has seen him make three straight Pro Bowls – a running scheme that takes some pressure off the offensive line should only help him continue to impress.
The Big Question
Left Guard is probably the most uncertain position on the roster, with no clear favorite emerging from what is a very large group of contenders as Taylor Moton, Jeremiah Sirles, Amini Silatolu, Tyler Larsen, Greg Van Roten and maybe even rookie Brendan Mahon are all vying for the starting role. Of course, how well they perform if and when they are given snaps with the starting unit will be the key for determining the eventual starter. Silatolu was given the nod when Trai Turner went down late in the season, but was far from impressive and while he appears to be a favorite of Ron Rivera it would likely come as a real disappointment to most fans, not to mention Cam Newton, should he emerge as the eventual starter. However, as much as some fans would like to hope that Silatolu isn’t in the running to start at left guard, as training camp starts he is likely to get the first shot.
While many are keen on Taylor Moton, he is still very much an unknown at this point, having only taken snaps at guard in limited reps last preseason, and while he didn’t look bad, he hardly did enough to make himself the clear favorite to win the left guard spot this time around. Unlike Silatolu, he is almost certain to be on the opening day roster as his youth and position versatility will make him worth another look in a year’s time should he fail to win the starting left guard job. Sirles is a similar unknown, having been signed as a free agent from the Vikings where he spent time at both tackle and guard. At this point it would be surprising to see him emerge as an elite starting guard, but in a battle that is likely to come down to the least worst option; at least in the short term, Sirles shouldn’t be disregarded as a potential starting option. Should he not win the starting role, his biggest camp battle will likely be with Silatolu to win the depth swing tackle role.
Larsen spent much of last season playing center in place of the injured Kalil, and performed adequately if unspectacularly. He is probably a more natural fit at center, but is certainly not out of the starting left guard spot – given what fans saw last season, would likely be a preferable option to Silatolu at the very least. It would be surprising to see him lose his backup center role if he doesn’t win the left guard role, but a poor performance during camp and preseason could bring that back into the realms of possibility. The other player who was on the roster last season who will get a shot at the left guard role is Greg Van Roten. Van Roten wasn’t used extensively last season, though he did see the field on a couple of occasions, but might be something of a dark horse candidate for the left guard role; his ability to play both guard and center does give him some value as a depth player and he could well be part of the battle with Sirles and Silatolu to secure a roster spot in that role.
The real dark horse candidate in the left guard battle is rookie Brendan Mahon, who signed as an undrafted free agent having made 41 starts at Penn State, mostly at left tackle. Hurney has already spoken very highly of him this offseason and his college tape is far more impressive than one would normally associate with an undrafted guard. It should not be forgotten that Andrew Norwell was a UDFA who emerged as the starter after an injury to Silatolu. In all likelihood, Mahon won’t emerge as the week one starter, but should be very much in the battle for a roster spot and a lock for a practice squad spot should it come to that. For him, training camp should be a real test of how me matches up against NFL talent, and with a stacked defense line group for the Panthers, it could be something of a trial by fire.
The Other Guys
Kyle Friend
With such a deep battle for the left guard battle, it would be something of a surprise if anybody outside that group was able to cling on to a roster spot. The only caveat would come if Larsen is able to win the starting role, as that would then create a slight question mark about the depth behind Kalil at center, bringing Kyle Friend back into that conversion. What are almost certainly going to be up for grabs are practice squad spots, with the likes of Quinterrious Eatmon, Taylor Hearn, Kyle Friend, Norman Price, Kyle Bosch and Dorian Johnson all being potential practice squad members. While none of these players will spend much time facing the first team defense, the extended playing time they will receive during the preseason will go a long way in determining whether they end up watching this season from the sidelines or from the stands.
The narratives surrounding this group this training camp will almost certainly revolve around the battle for the starting left guard spot, and for good reason. While it would be a surprise if anybody not involved in that starting battle, at least initially, ends up on the starting roster, there should still be significant competition for practice squad spots if not the final few roster spots.
Way-Too-Early Roster Prediction
Starters: Taylor Moton, Ryan Kalil and Trai Turner
Depth players: Jeremiah Sirles, Tyler Larsen, Brendan Mahon and Amini Silatolu.
Practice Squad: Kyle Friend and Greg Van Roten
Roster Hopefuls: Dorian Johnson, Quinterrious Eatmon, Taylor Hearn, Norman Price and Kyle Bosch
